Macadamia farmer scores free luxury Sunshine Coast apartment

A macadamia nut farmer from Lindendale in northern New South Wales was shocked to discover he won a luxury beachside apartment in the Sunshine Coast valued at $400,000. Winning a competition is enough of a surprise, but in Brian Gittings case, it was especially surprising as he wasn’t aware he’d entered the competition.

Mr Gittings sold his macadamia farm last year and by selling the property he had automatically entered into a competition to win the apartment.

The national competition was open to people who had transacted property or sought a market appraisal through Century 21.

Mr Gittings told Realestate.com.au that he had been preparing for bed when he received a call from the agent he had sold his property through informing him of his prize. “I’d moved house and changed numbers. They must have gone through a lot of effort to find me,” he told Realestate.com.au.

The Sunshine Coast apartment is located in Caloundra near Kings Beach. Mr Gittings is able to choose between the apartment (with stamp duty costs covered) or the $400,000 cash. He told Realestate.com.au that he’ll probably opt for the cash as he is not looking to relocate and has no interest in an investment property.

The former macadamia farmer isn’t looking to splash out on any big ticket items with his cash though. He said, “I can’t imagine us doing anything exciting with it, like buying a fast car. We’d just be keeping it.”